Compost
Our Favorite Soil Amendment
Our family understands the importance of nutrient-rich soil. It's the foundation for growing high-quality, nutrient-dense food.
We continuously create and add compost to our food forest, supporting the microbes that fuel healthy plant growth. The more biologically diverse our soil becomes, the stronger and more resilient our plants are. Just like a healthy gut biome supports a thriving body.
Keeping it Simple
Here is a few things we compost
- Creating compost in many ways -
We compost in piles, turning them by hand, and in bins that sit for 6 to 8 months. Soldier flies and worms help break down organic matter, while some materials are placed directly around trees to decompose in place. We also collect sawdust and wood chips from around the farm and let them break down naturally. There are countless ways we create compost, and we use them all.
Chop & Drop
Nature Provides all we need
After cutting down unwanted plants, we let them compost in place. We especially love growing nitrogen-fixing plants. Cutting them at the base to leave the roots intact for the mycorrhizal network, while the greens decompose on top, building soil and mulching nearby plants.
-Hugelkultur -
We love building raised beds using brush, rotting wood, compost, and extra soil to fill low spots around the farm. This method improves soil health, boosts water retention, and adds nutrients over time. As the wood breaks down, it acts like a sponge, reducing the need for watering and helping us sequester carbon naturally.
We use Soldier Flies and Fish Scraps to Supercharge our compost
-Our Soil is Alive -
Nature works with us to break down organic matter and feed our plants. Soil microbes help boost yields, improve crop resilience, and build long-term soil health. We ensure our compost contains a variety of trace minerals, essential for both vitality and human health.
-Homemade Compost Tea-
We boost soil health by brewing our own compost tea, rich in beneficial microbes. Before watering, we dilute it by mixing a 1/2- gallon of tea into a 5-gallon bucket of pond water, giving our plants a natural, microbial boost.
- Homemade Biochar -
We make and activate our own biochar using fallen trees, branches, and scrap wood that can't be used elsewhere. It's a powerful way to improve soil health and store carbon.
Check out our Biochar page to see how we create it.
-Beyond Organic Composting-
We aim for compost that's rich in both macro- and micronutrients, essential for healthy, vibrant plants. That's why we use a wide variety of materials in our composting process.
Our compost has helped transform sandy soil into nutrient-rich, water-retaining earth. It supports a thriving ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, insects, worms, and more. Healthy compost not only feeds the soil, it also helps suppress diseases and pests. It's a key part of building a resilient, productive food forest.
